Paper 159 of The Urantia Book is called The Decapolis Tour. This paper is, of course, from The Life and Teachings of Jesus. Jesus has just had his monumental meeting with Gabriel and Father Melchizedek on the Mount of Transfiguration after which he pivots away from teaching the Jews in Judea to teaching the Gentiles in places like the Greek cities of the Decapolis. Section 4 of Paper 159 is called: Instruction for Teachers and Believers. This amazing section cuts to heart of Jesus' ministry and speaks of his overall attitude toward all who would hear his teachings. Quite simply, this section is brilliant! In this amazing section, Jesus says unforgettable things like, "Never should a righteous cause be promoted by force; spiritual victories can be won only by spiritual power. This injunction against the employment of material influences refers to psychic force as well as to physical force. Overpowering arguments and mental superiority are not to be employed to coerce men and women into the kingdom. Man's mind is not to be crushed by the mere weight of logic or overawed by shrewd eloquence." He says, "In bringing men into the kingdom, do not lessen or destroy their self-respect. While overmuch self-respect may destroy proper humility and end in pride, conceit, and arrogance, the loss of self-respect often ends in paralysis of the will." And "The world is filled with hungry souls who famish in the very presence of the bread of life; men die searching for the very God who lives within them. Men seek for the treasures of the kingdom with yearning hearts and weary feet when they are all within the immediate grasp of living faith." This one section is vitally important to anyone who has ever tried to share or teach The Urantia Book. It's words of wisdom and gems of insight are treasures to be shared and contemplated again and again. Please join Andre and Christilyn to explore them together.
